ABF's ingredients division is reaping the rewards of a focus on
core ingredients and expansion to meet demand, despite the impact
of costs in dairy proteins.
Repositioning on a healthy food platform and investing in research
of value-added ingredients has lifted Nestle out of the reach of
raw material prices and other economic encumbrances.
German margarine and dressings manufacturer Walter Rau
Lebensmittelwerke has been acquired by agri-giant Bunge Europe in a
deal that will help it meet raw material price challenges and
expand into new markets.
Arla Foods is expanding its capacity of whey protein concentrates
through an agreement with Norwegian dairy firm TINE, under which it
will sell WPC produced as a by-product of TINE's cheese production.
Greencore has indicated that it is working closely with its
convenience foods customers this year to offset the impact of food
inflation, and still expects growth in this market.
Givaudan achieved savings by integrating Quest International ahead
of plan, increasing its product portfolio and allowing it to
refocus on higher value-adding ingredients.
Dairy group Lactalis McLelland will face a reduced financial
penalty from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after accepting
responsibility for its role in the alleged price fixing of
cheeses in the UK.
Leatherhead Food International is conducting research into how to
reduce saturated fat levels in bakery products, initially in short
crust pastry, to help its members take action to help meet FSA
targets.
The food industry has a window to research ways to reduce saturated
fat in products before the UK's FSA starts its consumer awareness
campaign at the end of this year, says an expert from ADM who is
anticipating a swell of interest...
EU member states must recognise erythritol as an approved sweetener
by tomorrow, which is expected to increase its use in low-calorie
products across Europe.
DSM's full year nutriton results show investment in
innovation is rewarded with strong market position, but rising
costs, high expenditure and damaging exchange rates compromised
profits.
More than half of consumers say they are willing to switch to
sugar-free versions of traditional confectionery lines, which
suggests that sweeteners are no longer considered a 'niche'
ingredient in sweets, claims Beneo Palatinit.
While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad
thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks
muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.
An all-natural colouring derived from seaweed has put blue Smarties
back on the shelves following their removal two years ago in
response to concerns over artificial additives.
Associated British Foods (ABF) will renounce permanently 165,000
tonnes of UK sugar production following the changes made to the
European sugar reform.
NutraCea is continuing its global expansion with the announcement
that it is to buy the largest rice bran oil processing facility in
South America, located in Brazil.
The potato is well-tolerated by more than 99 per cent of people,
according to a study by YorkTest which has dubbed the humble
spud, the 'safest food in Britain'.
There is increasing scope for healthy yet indulgent products as
consumers refuse to sacrifice taste for nutrition, according to a
new Datamonitor study.
Cosucra Groupe Warcoing is seeking to press home the message that
pea protein can be used in place of milk protein, reflecting a
trend that has picked up speed in the ingredients sector in the
light of high dairy prices.
Indian spice producer Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL) has received
unspecified investment from Argonaut private equity firm, which
will let it pursue acquisition opportunities on a global scale and
further boost its manufacturing capacity.
The unstable political situation surrounding the cultivation of
genetically modified (GM) crops is restricting university research
and pushing small companies out of the arena, thereby restricting
competition, said a GM expert.
Leatherhead Food International (LFI) intends to tap into a very
pressing technical challenge for manufacturers looking to produce
low fat foods that maintain an indulgent appeal.
Radical changes consumer behaviour, especially in rich countries,
is crucial to averting a crisis in food supply in the coming
decades, attendees at the City Food Lecture in London heard this
week.
Cadbury today launched a fund to aid its cocoa suppliers
in Ghana, after research suggested that average production in
the region is now 40 per cent lower than the potential yield.
The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a
probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those
yoghurt shots away!
Finnish food group Raisio and Swedish firm Lantmännen have
dissolved joint ownership of a number of food businesses, which the
firms hope will drive focus and profitability.
The UK government unveiled the first steps it will take in its
national strategy to fight obesity, earmarking £372m for the cause.
Steps include addressing food issues, as well as increasing
education and encouraging physical activity.
Europe's food safety watchdog has issued updated advice on reducing
the risk of the food-borne bacteria listeria, urging food
manufacturers to watch out for contamination during packaging,
preparation and storage of food.
As the EU debates retaining national bans on genetically modified
(GM) crops, one industry expert believes that failure to adapt
could grant foreign rivals using the technology an upper hand, not
least in terms of brewing a good beer.
Organic milk production in the EU market could become increasingly
constrained during 2008, as rising feed costs are forcing some
farmers to quit the market, says an industry expert.
Barry Callebaut reported increased sales volume for the first
quarter of this fiscal year as a result of a mounting trend for
food manufacturers to outsource their chocolate needs.
FMC BioPolymer has adapted its range of Gelstar products for
Europe's frozen desserts market, to cut costs and fat content
without compromising on the body and creaminess.
Cargill is stepping up its sales capacity in the Middle East with a
new base in Dubai for Texturizing Solutions that will allow it to
collaborate more closely with customers in the region.
Cargill is continuing its long-term investment in its hydrocolloids
business with a €3m investment in its factory in Baupte, France,
which is aimed at improving productivity and maintaining the
highest quality standards.
Cosun's Suiker Unie is to close its sugar factory in Groningen, The
Netherlands, as part of measures to reduce production in line with
the new sugar regime.
The Sudzucker group has reported a 18.3 per cent increase in sales
for the first nine months of its year thanks to special products
and fruit preparations, while sugar was responsible for a big drop
in operating profit.
A spate of acquisitions by larger natural ingredients companies
indicates consolidation in the market place mirroring that of the
industry at large, say industry experts, helping them gain weight
to cater to the needs of large clients.
Danisco has entered into a license agreement for its
anhydrofructose technology with Japan's Nihon Starch Co, the first
such deal aimed at bringing the new calorie-free sugar to
market.
The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the
term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and
a legal headache for manufacturers.
Chinese corn-based sweeteners producer Global Sweetener Holdings
has taken a new step towards its aim of becoming a leader in the
Asian and worldwide markets for corn sweeteners by buying out
Mitsui's share of their sorbitol...
Ulrick & Short has developed an additive-free phosphate
replacer to maintain moisture in sausages in response to increasing
pressures for food manufacturers to provide clean label products.
The superfruits trend is set to endure for the long term, according
to a Datamonitor analyst, as consumers will prioritise their own
health over environmental concerns like food miles and carbon
footprint.
Indian spice processor Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL) has started
commercial shipments from its new pepper plant in Vietnam; it
claims the new facility makes it the only processor in the main
pepper-producing countries with steam...